Method and apparatus for pre-buffer media storage

Abstract

Image capture devices and methods may be used to pre-buffer media storage. The pre-buffering method includes recording an image capture segment in a circular buffer. The circular buffer includes a number of recordable segments. The pre-buffering method includes determining whether a key moment command is received. If a key moment command is not received, the method includes recording a next image capture segment in a next adjacent recordable segment of the circular buffer if the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is available. If a key moment command is not received, the method includes overwriting an oldest recordable segment if the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is not available. If a key moment command is received, the pre-buffering method includes marking a wrap point in the circular buffer and switching from recording in the circular buffer to linear recording.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pre-buffering method comprising:
 recording an image capture segment in a circular buffer, wherein the circular buffer includes a predetermined number of recordable segments; 
 determining whether a key moment command is received; 
 on a condition that a key moment command is not received, the pre-buffering method further comprising: 
 recording a next image capture segment in a next adjacent recordable segment of the circular buffer on a condition that the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is available; and 
 overwriting an oldest recordable segment on a condition that the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is not available; and 
 on a condition that a key moment command is received, the pre-buffering method further comprising: 
 marking a wrap point in the circular buffer; 
 switching from recording in the circular buffer to linear recording; and 
 storing the circular buffer and the linear recording in a media file format, wherein the media file format comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is an mdat portion and the second portion is a moov portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The pre-buffering method of  claim 1 , wherein the key moment command is associated with a shutter button press, an audio command, or a touch display input. 
     
     
       3. The pre-buffering method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the predetermined number of recordable segments has a predetermined duration of time. 
     
     
       4. The pre-buffering method of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined duration of time is 0.5 seconds to 30 seconds. 
     
     
       5. The pre-buffering method of  claim 1 , wherein marking the wrap point in the circular buffer includes stopping the circular buffer recording. 
     
     
       6. The pre-buffering method of  claim 1 , wherein linear recording comprises recording frames in a portion of a memory outside the circular buffer. 
     
     
       7. The pre-buffering method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining whether an input is received; 
 on a condition that the input is received, stopping the linear recording; and 
 on a condition that the input is not received, continuing the linear recording. 
 
     
     
       8. The pre-buffering method of  claim 7 , wherein the input is a button press, an audio command, or a touch display input. 
     
     
       9. The pre-buffering method of  claim 8 , wherein the input is an indication or command to stop linear recording. 
     
     
       10. An image capture device comprising:
 a memory comprising a circular buffer configured to record an image capture segment, wherein the circular buffer includes a predetermined number of recordable segments; 
 a processor configured to determine whether a key moment command is received; 
 on a condition that a key moment command is not received, the memory further configured to: 
 record a next image capture segment in a next adjacent recordable segment of the circular buffer on a condition that the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is available; and 
 overwrite an oldest recordable segment on a condition that the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is not available; and 
 on a condition that a key moment command is received, the processor further configured to: 
 mark a wrap point in the circular buffer; and
 switch from recording in the circular buffer to linear recording, 
 
 wherein the memory is configured to store the circular buffer and the linear recording in a media file format, and wherein the media file format comprises a first portion and a second portion. 
 
     
     
       11. The image capture device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to stop the circular buffer recording. 
     
     
       12. The image capture device of  claim 10 , wherein the memory is configured to perform linear recording by recording frames in a portion of the memory outside the circular buffer. 
     
     
       13. The image capture device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine whether an input is received; 
 on a condition that the input is received, stop the linear recording; and 
 on a condition that the input is not received, continue the linear recording. 
 
     
     
       14. The image capture device of  claim 10 , wherein the memory is a secure digital (SD) card. 
     
     
       15. The image capture device of  claim 10 , wherein the first portion is an mdat portion and the second portion is a moov portion. 
     
     
       16. A storage device comprising:
 a memory comprising a circular buffer configured to:
 record a data segment, wherein the circular buffer includes a predetermined number of recordable segments; 
 record a next data segment in a next adjacent recordable segment of the circular buffer on a condition that the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is available; 
 overwrite an oldest recordable segment on a condition that the next adjacent recordable segment of the predetermined number of recordable segments is not available; and 
 store the circular buffer and a linear recording portion in a media file format, wherein the media file format comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is an mdat portion and the second portion is a moov portion. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the mdat portion comprises a pre-buffer portion and a linear recording portion. 
     
     
       18. The storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the pre-buffer portion comprises a first portion of frames and a second portion of frames, wherein the first portion of frames are recorded temporally prior to the second portion of frames, and wherein the second portion of frames are stored spatially prior to the first portion of frames. 
     
     
       19. The storage device of  claim 18 , wherein the linear recording portion comprises a third portion of frames, wherein the third portion of frames are recorded temporally after the first portion of frames and the second portion of frames, wherein the third portion of frames are stored spatially after the first portion of frames and the second portion of frames, and wherein the third portion of frames are stored adjacent to the first portion of frames. 
     
     
       20. The storage device of  claim 19 , wherein the moov portion comprises a first index associated with the first portion of frames, a second index associated with the second portion of frames, and a third index associated with the third portion of frames, and wherein the first index, the second index, and the third index are used for video playback.